European tracking system to prevent rail accidents

New Delhi: Faced with recurring train
mishaps, Railways has expedited the process for installing the
Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS) - an advanced
European technology - on an 800-km long stretch.

"The TPWS trial is at the final stage and we are planning
to install TPWS after certain modifications in the rail routes
which have automatic signalling system," a senior Railway
Ministry official said.

As per the plan, Railways will install the TPWS on some
of the busiest routes including the Delhi-Mumbai and
Delhi-Kolkata route in the first phase.

"The work for the 800 km in the automatic signalling
routes has already been sanctioned. Plans are afoot to include
about 2,000 km more route in the next phase," he said.

TPWS will also cover the suburban rail route of Delhi,
Kolkata and Chennai. The trial of TPWS is going on the 200 km
Delhi-Agra route and the 60 km Chennai-Gumudipundi route under
a pilot project for which the Railways has earmarked Rs 250
crores.

"The bid for installing TPWS would be opened shortly and
after finalising the bid, the work will be awarded on the
selected 800-km long route," the official said.

While one of the components of the TPWS is to be
installed in the loco cabin, another is to be fitted in the
signal pole along the rail track.

Of the total 2,763 train accidents between 2000 and 2010,
more than 50 per cent of these have been attributed to failure
of railway staff.